Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is National Foster Care Month?
- How does the Children's Bureau support National Foster Care Month?
- What resources are available on the National Foster Care Month website?
- What are Real-Life Stories?
- How can I spread the word about National Foster Care Month?
- How can I learn about what other States are doing for National Foster Care Month?
- What is the history of the Children's Bureau and foster care?
What is National Foster Care Month?
May is National Foster Care Month—a time to acknowledge the foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. It is also a time to focus on ways to create a bright future for the more than 430,000 children and youth in foster care.
How does the Children's Bureau support National Foster Care Month?
The Children's Bureau—together with its information service, Child Welfare Information Gateway, and a host of other Federal, State, and local partners—supports National Foster Care Month through a website.
What resources are available on the National Foster Care Month website?
This year, the theme for National Foster Care Month is "It's All Relative: Supporting Kinship Connections." Resources on the National Foster Care Month Website emphasize the importance of locating, recruiting, training, and supporting family members who may be a viable placement option for children and youth currently involved in or at risk of entering foster care. Resources also highlight best practices that have resulted in new and strengthened diligent recruitment strategies. Access the resources at childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/resources/.
What are Real-Life Stories?
Each year, the National Foster Care Month website features real-life stories of children, youth, and families to help illustrate how best child welfare practices impact real lives. From training to recruitment, these inspiring stories provide perspective and highlight the role each of us has in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care. View the stories at childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/reallifestories/.
How can I spread the word about National Foster Care Month?
Use these time-saving tools to promote National Foster Care Month across your network and community. Check them out at childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/spread/.
- National Foster Care Month Facebook Campaign
- Sample Social Media posts
- Email signature blocks
- Sample email messages
- Graphics
- Widgets
How can I learn about what other States are doing for National Foster Care Month?
The National Foster Care Month Community Engagements page highlights the importance of your involvement in your own neighborhood to keep the needs of children and youth in foster care in the minds of the public. Access State and local proclamations and find State-specific contact information for child welfare leaders across the country. Use these proclamations as an example, contact your local agency with questions, or link over to our Facebook page where you can share events at childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/engagement/.
What is the history of the Children's Bureau and foster care?
Throughout its history, the Children's Bureau has worked to assist children and youth in foster care; engage youth in decisions that affect their lives; and support foster families, kinship caregivers, child welfare professionals, and others who help these children. Learn more at childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/about/history/.